Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

If you dream of the perfect bite that’s crispy, sticky, sweet, and just the right kind of spicy, Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is about to become a favorite on your table. This oven-baked masterpiece is loaded with crunch and flavor, but so simple you’ll want to make it again and again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What truly makes Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken special is the way just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients come together to create layers of bold flavor and irresistible texture. Each one adds its own little magic—so don’t skip a thing!

• Cornflakes: The secret to ultra-crunchy, golden chicken that bakes up beautifully—use gluten-free if needed.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, savory note that deepens flavor and helps the coating crisp.
• Smoked Paprika: Infuses warmth and subtle smokiness, making every bite more complex.
• Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: Double the aromatic punch for that classic fried chicken flavor vibe.
• Large Eggs: Binds the crumb coating to the chicken, ensuring it sticks (and gets extra crisp if you double-dip!).
• Hot Sauce: You’ll use it twice—once to amp up the chicken, once in the honey for a spicy-sweet finish.
• Chicken Breast Tenderloins: Super tender, quick-cooking, and the perfect size for an even crunch.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Just a drizzle to ensure a gorgeous golden crust in the oven.
• Honey: The sweet backbone of hot honey, balancing out all that spice.
• Cayenne Pepper & Chipotle Chili Powder: Together they provide heat, smoky depth, and color for the sauce.
• Sea Salt: Don’t skimp—just a pinch brightens and sharpens every flavor note.
• Fresh Thyme, Cilantro, or Parsley: For a fresh, herby finish that makes everything pop right before serving.

Variations

One of the best things about Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is how flexible it is—the recipe is incredibly easy to tweak to fit your cravings, what’s in your pantry, or any special diet at your table!

• Swap Chicken Cuts: Use boneless chicken thighs or even drumsticks for richer, juicier meat (just adjust cook time as needed).
• Make It Dairy-Free: Simply skip the parmesan, or try a dairy-free cheesy sprinkle—it still turns out ultra-flavorful and crisp.
• Dial Up (or Down) the Heat: Adjust the cayenne and hot sauce in the honey drizzle to find your family’s perfect level of fiery sweetness.
• Try Different Coatings: Crushed rice cereal, tortilla chips, or even panko breadcrumbs can stand in for cornflakes if you’re feeling adventurous.

How to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Start by getting your oven nice and hot at 425°F. Don’t skip lining your baking sheet with parchment paper—it keeps cleanup easy and helps your chicken crisp on every side, not just the bottom.

Step 2: Blitz the Crunchy Coating

In a food processor, pulse the cornflakes, parmesan, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a big pinch of salt until you have fine, sandy crumbs. No food processor? Simply crush the cornflakes in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin or give them a gentle stomp!

Step 3: Dip and Double Coat

Beat the eggs and a spoonful of hot sauce in a shallow bowl. Toss in your chicken tenderloins so they’re fully coated. Working one piece at a time, dredge chicken through your crumbs, pressing gently to help the crust stick. Love extra crunch? For an outrageously crispy crust, dip coated pieces back in the egg, then back through the crumbs again.

Step 4: Bake Until Gorgeous

Line your coated chicken strips on the prepared baking sheet and give them a generous drizzle of olive oil. This oven “fry” helps get every nook and cranny extra golden and crisp. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is beautifully crunchy all around.

Step 5: Whip Up Hot Honey

About 5 minutes before your chicken is done, combine the honey, hot sauce, cayenne, chipotle powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat just until everything’s melted and the honey is pourable; don’t let it boil, just gently loosen and blend those flavors.

Step 6: Glaze and Serve

As soon as your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken comes out, drizzle it generously with the warm hot honey. Sprinkle over lots of fresh herbs for a burst of green and serve right away. If the honey thickens, just zap it in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it back up.

How to Serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Garnishes

A flurry of chopped fresh herbs—think thyme, cilantro, or parsley—brightens up every bite of Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken and adds a little extra something to the dish’s look and taste. For even more color, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few sliced scallions on top makes each piece pop beautifully on the plate.

Side Dishes

This chicken is deliciously bold, so simple sides really shine: think fluffy white rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or tender roasted broccoli to soak up all that spicy-sweet honey drizzle. A crisp, cooling slaw or a tangy cucumber salad is also a fantastic partner to balance the heat.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, slice the chicken into bite-size strips and serve it as crispy dippers with a side of extra hot honey sauce for dunking. Or pile the chicken on a toasted brioche bun with pickles and lettuce for a crave-worthy spicy sandwich. Even over a big crunchy salad, Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken steals the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool leftover Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—just know the coating softens a bit, but the flavor stays bold and satisfying.

Freezing

For best texture, freeze the chicken plain (before saucing) once fully cooked and cooled. Lay pieces out on a baking sheet until frozen, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and crisp up in the oven before adding hot honey.

Reheating

The best way to bring back that signature crunch is to reheat chicken on a wire rack in a 375°F oven until hot and crisp, about 10 minutes. If you’ve saved some extra hot honey, drizzle it on after reheating for the freshest flavor punch.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is one of those recipes that brings pure comfort with a playful twist—every bite is a little bold, a little sweet, and totally unforgettable. I hope you’ll give it a try and share it with your loved ones—it’s guaranteed to become a new go-to in your kitchen!

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